Zelensky: NATO is a matter of security of Ukraine and our citizens

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in an interview with La Nacion, according to Ukrinform.

Journalists of the media outlet provided a phrase attributed to former Mexican President Porfirio Diaz that aims to illustrate that countries are invariably prisoners of their geography. In this context, the Ukrainian leader was asked to comment on such an analogy, "that Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO would be the equivalent of Russia placing military bases on Mexican territory, with all the implications."

"It seems to me that we have to look at it a little differently. When they say that NATO is fighting with Russia on Ukrainian territory, this is what Russia says. Because it doesn't fit in their heads to imagine how such a small army can resist an army as big as theirs. So [they want] to justify the efforts they make and that they cannot win," Zelensky said.

Zelensky noted that some countries, such as the Baltic states, would be happy if the Ukrainian Armed Forces were stationed on their territory to protect them, but after the war.

He noted that Ukraine does not need bases from either the United States or other partner countries. Geographically, Ukraine is close to Russia and other countries, and there is also an example there: where there is NATO, there is no war, Zelensky said.

"Our attitude has to be seen within the framework of the fact that the countries that belong to NATO did so in their time because they were suspicious that the Soviet Union might come back," he said.

He explained that NATO for Ukraine is not to attack or go on the offensive, "it is to liberate our territory." NATO is a security association, but there is no war on its territory, he said.

Zelensky said that there was also talk of Russia's security. Some people think that Ukraine can come to Russian territory, but Ukrainians have never wanted any war.

"All our industry was taken from the occupied territories. And this is colonialism. That's why the NATO question, excuse me, it's a question of our security and protection of our people and that's all," Zelensky added.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine